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Our View: Thumbs-up, thumbs-down

June 23, 2017

Thumbs-up: To DeKalb Police Officer Jeff Winters, whose efforts to help a homeless person he met while on patrol June 13 are a great example for all of us. Winters responded to a report that a man was sleeping in a pedestrian tunnel, learned that he was hoping to buy a duffel bag for his belongings, and went to Walmart and bought a bag along with other items. Winters has been on the DeKalb force for 23 years, and we thank him for his service to the community as well as the spirit of helping those less fortunate, for no reason other than that they are in need.

Thumbs-up: To a new food truck in town. After the demolition of the downtown DeKalb building that once housed his restaurant, Mediterraneo Grill owner Omar Musfi says he plans to open a food truck starting Tuesday. Musfi has a business partner, Dean Hejazi, who has been operating a truck in Indiana who will be joining him here. It would be easy for Musfi to be discouraged after losing the space where he spent eight years building a business. But it's great to see he's moving forward, and we hope his new venture is successful. Food trucks are a hip way to get your lunch these days, we hear.

Thumbs-down: To a lengthy delay on a vote on a special use permit for B & C Kennels. DeKalb County Board members had planned to vote Wednesday on the kennel owners' request for permission to keep up to 40 dogs and 100 puppies at its facility at 6367 E. Clare Road in rural Clare. However, because the action the board was set to take was technically incorrect, they had to postpone a vote until the next meeting, which isn't set until August. This issue has been simmering for months already, with B & C being allowed to import more animals from an out-of-state breeder than it was supposed to under its original special use permit. Several people came to the board meeting to observe the action – but now it will be another two months before any resolution, with the kennel continuing to operate as it has until then.

Thumbs-down: To the loss of a champion for the Blackhawks. This week, the team announced that longtime forward Marian Hossa would not be able to play this season because wearing hockey equipment was aggravating a rare skin condition. Given how tough most pro hockey players are, the irritation must be unbearable. Hossa, 38, signed a 12-year contract with the Hawks in 2009, and has helped them win three Stanley Cups in 2010, 2013 and 2015. If he's unable to play again, it will be a loss for the team and its fans.

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